Youth & Family Ombudsmen Outreach Intern; Fall

Position: Youth & Family Ombudsmen Outreach Intern (Fall 2026)
Location: Ohio

Office of Youth & Family Ombudsmen

The Office of Youth and Family Ombudsmen independently reviews and resolves complaints related to child protective services, foster care, and adoption. The office serves individuals, including youth in children services custody, by investigating complaints and offering guidance. Learn more about the office by visiting Home | Youth and Family Ombudsmen Office.

What You Will Do

In this position, you will work closely with the staff across the office. This team is small, flexible and will provide you with opportunities to engage in constituent-centered outreach, strategic stakeholder engagement, and systemwide review of children services practice and public policy.

During your internship you may:

* Advance outreach priorities aimed to expand public knowledge of the Foster Youth Bill of Rights and support services offered by the Youth Ombudsman.

* Advance outreach priorities aimed to expand public knowledge of the Resource Family Bill of Rights and support services offered by the Family Ombudsman.

* Develop a social media education campaign; write copy and create graphics within brand standards.

* Collaborate with the ODJFS Office of Communications to execute the social media campaign.

* Collaborate with other organizations invested in child welfare to strategize and work towards shared goals.

* Attend a United States Ombudsman Association (USOA) Children and Family Chapter Meeting.

* Organize and provide presentations on Foster Youth Bill of Rights and/or the Resource Family Bill of Rights.

* Support the Resource Manager in public and private agency leader outreach.

* Attend a Youth Advisory Board meeting with the Youth Ombudsman or Assistant Youth Ombudsman.

* Conduct research of applicable administrative and revised code to inform investigative strategy on complaints.

* Shadow ombudsman staff on an investigative call or meeting.

Learning Objectives:

* Introduction to Public Service

* Ethical and Professional Behavior

* Diversity and Difference

* Children Services System:
Policy and Practice

* Ombudsman Standards and Best Practices

* Understanding Child Abuse and Neglect

* Legal Framework

* Practice-Informed Research and Research-Informed Practice

* Stakeholder Engagement

Schedule:

One academic year August 2026 - May 2027

Hours:

8-10 hours per week M-F. Hours must be worked between 8AM - 5PM.

Location:

This position will be headquartered in an ODJFS Facility in one of the following cities - Columbus, Akron, or Dayton. This determination will take into account the proximity to the applicant's home address.

Rhodes State Officer Tower - 30

E. Broad Street, Columbus, OH 43215

Akron - 172 S. Broadway Street, Akron, OH 44308

Dayton - 6680 Poe Avenue, Dayton, OH 45414

Travel:
Occasional travel within the state of Ohio.

Preferred Qualifications:

* Interest in the fields of child protection, trauma-informed care, public policy, strategic communications and system evaluation

* Upper-class undergraduate or graduate student

* Lived experience in the children services system

PN(s):

The ideal candidate, at minimum, must have the following:

* Must be currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at an accredited college or university and in good academic standing. Proof of academic enrollment (current transcript copy) must be provided upon selection

* Must have completed one (1) academic year of college

* Must be 18 years old at start of employment

Tips For Your Application

When completing the different sections of this application, be sure to clearly describe how you meet the minimum qualifications outlined in this job posting. We cannot give you credit for your Work Experience and Education & Certifications if you do not provide that information in your online application. Information in attached resumes or cover letters must be entered into your application in the appropriate Work Experience or Education & Certification sections to be considered.

Pay Information

Hourly rate is based on a student's academic year, verified through unofficial transcripts. This structure provides a clear, consistent pathway for wage progression. Undergraduate (UG) and graduate interns are eligible for pay increases as they continue their employment and advance toward completing their degree.

College Intern

UG Freshman

UG Sophomore

UG Junior

UG Senior

Graduate 1

Graduate 2

Hourly

$14.00

$16.00

$18.00

$20.00

$22.00

$24.00